§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment by what mechanisms his Department is informed of proposed closures of rural schools; if local education authorities are required to inform him of proposals to close such schools; what criteria he will use to assess the viability of such schools; and if he will make a statement. [43486]
§ Mr. ByersIf a local education authority proposes to close a school, it must publish a statutory proposal and send a copy of the published proposal to the Secretary of State. In the case of proposals to close a rural school, we announced in February that it was our policy to give notice to the local education authority that the proposals256W would need to be decided by the Secretary of State. In assessing the viability of the school, we will take into account the advice of Ofsted in relation to the standard of education provided at the school, and consider other relevant factors, including the capacity of the school and the projected demand for places. We shall, of course, take account of all relevant factors in reaching a decision but the presumption will be against closure, and proposals will therefore be approved only when we are convinced that this is the best option.